Window, especially for installation in an inclined roof

ABSTRACT

In a window comprising a main frame (1), an intermediate frame (3) hinged at the top of the latter and a sash (7) which is journalled as a pivot sash in the intermediate frame, said intermediate frame (3) is provided with an arresting means (5) in the area of the pivoting axis (2), said arresting means normally being engaged with an associate arresting means (6) in the main frame. The arrest can be disengaged by means of a release handle (9) which is placed on the inner side of the main frame (1), and the window can then serve as an emergency exit, as the intermediate frame (3) with the sash (7) is swung clear of the main frame due to a permanent urging of the intermediate frame in its opening direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a window particularly desgined to be mountedin an inclined roof comprising, a main frame and an element that may beopened in relation thereto that includes an intermediate frame which ishinged to the main frame at the top thereof and is permanently urged inits opening direction, and a pane-supporting sash which in the area ofits horizontal centre axis is pivotally mounted in the intermediateframe. Said element and main frame are provided, at least in one side ofthe window, with associate arresting means, as is shown in U.S. Pat. No.4,449,327 and the published Danish patent application No. 1831/82 and WO82/00842.

2. Discussion of Related Art

In the known windows of this type the arresting means of the openableelement are mounted on the sash in the vicinity of its pivot axis andare adapted, by the opening and closing movement of the window which iseffectuated by a coordinated swinging of the sash in relation to theintermediate frame and of the latter in relation to the main frame, toengage and disengage the corresponding arresting means of the mainframe. After the engagement has been established, the sash and theintermediate frame may be locked together at their upper edges, and thesash of the window will then be kept in a closed or a slightly openposition. Thus, the manual operating means may be reduced to only onelocking or connecting device, namely between the sash and theintermediate frame.

When such a window is to be opened, the sash must first be released fromthe intermediate frame and then swung clear of the arresting means ofthe main frame. After this the sash may again be locked together withthe intermediate frame which has also been swung open, and may functiontogether with this intermediate frame as a top-hinged window sash, orthe sash may remain released from the intermediate frame and thenfunction as a pivoted or tilting sash journalled in the outswungintermediate frame.

A purpose of the invention is to provide a window of the above-mentionedtype and which satisfies better than the known embodiments therequirements of an emergency exit window.

This is achieved by the invention in that the arresting means of theopenable element are mounted on the intermediate frame, and in that theassociate arresting means are releaseable by means of an internalrelease handle.

By the normal operation (opening and closing) of this window theassociate arresting means remain engaged so that the intermediate frameacts as an integral part of the main frame. In this situation the sashcan therefore be considered journalled in the main frame. Only if thewindow shall exceptionally serve as an emergency exit, the releasehandle is used to disengage the arrest, and the permanent urging of theintermediate frame will then cause the entire openable element, that isthe intermediate frame and the sash in unison, to be swung outwardly andupwardly, and by using an appropriately designed hinge between the mainframe and the intermediate frame and appropriately dimensioned andlocated urging means, such as gas pressure springs, such an extensiveswinging up of the openable element can be assured that the latter willnot obstruct an escape through the aperture defined by the main frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

An embodiment of the window according to the invention is illustratedschematically on the drawing which represents a sectional elevation ofthe window showing the intermediate frame in an outswung position and,for the sake of clarity, the sash released from the intermediate frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The main frame 1 shown on the drawing is connected through a hinge 17 atits top with an intermediate frame 3 which is permanently urged in itsopening direction, for instance by a couple of gas pressure springs orspringloaded articulated links 4 which at the ends are pivotallyconnected with the side members of the main frame and the intermediateframe. A tiltable sash 7 with one or more panes 8 is mounted in theintermediate frame 3, the tilting axis being indicated by 2. Close tothis tilting axis the intermediate frame 3 is provided with an arrestingmeans formed by a pin 5 by which the intermediate frame 3 and the mainframe 1 may be coupled together when the intermediate frame is swunginto abutment against the latter, the pin 5 then being held firmly by anassociate arresting means formed by a catch 6 which is pivotal in themain frame 1. Through a wire 10 this catch, together with a possiblesimilar catch in the other side of the window, is connected with arelease handle 9 which may be countersunk in the top member of the mainframe 1 and may be sealed, if desired. A pull at this handle 9 willrelease the catches 6 from the pins 5, and the urging means 4 acting onthe intermediate frame 3 will then cause an outswinging of the latterthrough an angle of e.g. 70 degrees, although the drawing shows a muchsmaller angle.

In the normal, arrested position of the intermediate frame 3 the sashcan be operated as an ordinary pivot sash, for instance by using ahandle 18 mounted at the top of the sash and which is connected with acoupling device which at this place permits a releaseable locking of thesash with the intermediate frame. If desired, an operation of the handle18 may also be effectuated after the arresting of the main frame 1 andthe intermediate frame 3 has been released.

We claim:
 1. A tilting window assembly adapted for installation in aninclined roof comprising:a main frame; an intermediate frame hingedlymounted to said main frame at the top thereof; a sash pivotally mountedin the area of its horizontal center line to said intermediate frame;urging means to permanently urge said intermediate frame in its openingdirection relative to said main frame; associate arresting meansprovided on at least one of said main frame and said intermediate framefor maintaining said intermediate frame in its closed position relativeto said main frame against the force of said urging means; and a handleprovided on the internal side of the window assembly and operable torelease said associate arresting means in case of an emergencysituation.
 2. A window assembly according to claim 1, characterized inthat the associate arresting means comprise a pin fixed to theintermediate frame and a catch which is pivotally mounted on the mainframe to releasably engage with the pin.
 3. A window assembly accordingto claim 2 and comprising arresting means at both sides of the window,characterized in that the two catches are connected to a common handle.